This week, we harvested the kalo in the square garden box on our Waipao playground.  This morning, the children each had a turn pounding the cooked kalo with a stone poi pounder (pohaku ku’i ‘ai) on a wooden board (papa ku’i ‘ai).  Some children participated freely, while other children refused but were gently encouraged to at least feel the pohaku ku’i ‘ai.  Afterwards, each child was asked to use one finger and scoop a small sampling to feel and taste it.  Again, some children willing tried, while others were hesitant.   The most important thing was not the tasting of the finished product.  The main goal was to expose the children to this tradition of the Hawaiian people of old.